Celebrating 10 Years of the Ashoka Visionary Program: A Journey of Impact and Transformation

This month marked a significant milestone for the Ashoka Visionary Program – 10 years of driving systems change, fostering collaboration, and creating lasting impact. As we celebrated this incredible achievement, we not only welcomed a new cohort of visionaries but also took a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made over the last decade, all made possible by the vibrant and committed community of changemakers we’ve built.

A Powerful Keynote on Combating Extremist Propaganda

One of the highlights of the evening was the inspiring keynote delivered by Dr. Maximilian Oehl, a German Ashoka Fellow. Maximilian spoke passionately about the urgent need to address extremist propaganda online, a challenge that has become more critical than ever in today’s political climate. His work with Brand New Bundestag, an initiative aimed at supporting underrepresented candidates in Germany, and his digital campaign agency Media Force are crucial in ensuring that our digital spaces remain inclusive, democratic, and resilient against harmful ideologies.

Reflecting on 10 Years of Visionary Impact

We also celebrated the program’s incredible journey, from its inception to its global expansion. Founded by Raphaela Toncic-Sorinj, Georg Schoen, and Marie Ringler, the Visionary Program has grown into a thriving community of over 300 alumni from more than 25 countries. What started as a small initiative has now expanded across three regions, creating a global network of changemakers who continue to push boundaries and create systemic change. Looking back, it’s truly inspiring to see how far we’ve come and the collective impact we’ve achieved together.

Voices from Our Alumni: Reflecting on Personal and Professional Growth

Our alumni also shared their personal experiences with the program, offering insights into how it shaped their journeys. David Katzlinger, Head of Partnerships at SOS Children’s Villages International, reflected on how the Visionary Program sparked systemic change within the organization, encouraging colleagues worldwide to adopt a social entrepreneurship mindset. Tamara Höfer, a social entrepreneur focused on prison reform, spoke about the supportive community the program provided, which helped fuel her passion for transforming Austria’s prison system. Stephan Derting, an investor and business coach, highlighted the trust and lasting relationships that were built through the program, while Nadja Hahn, a journalist, shared how the Visionary Program supported her career transition into a new role.

Thank You to Our Amazing Moderators and Community

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible moderators, Olga Shirobokova and Rado Pittner, for their dynamic and engaging facilitation, which brought energy and excitement to the evening. We are also deeply grateful to all of our alumni, supporters, and community members who joined us to make this milestone celebration truly special.

What’s Next?

As we celebrate 10 years of the Ashoka Visionary Program, we are already looking forward to the future. Stay tuned as we introduce our new cohort and share more about the groundbreaking work they are doing across diverse fields and countries. Together, we’ll continue to empower visionaries who are leading the charge for systemic change and a better world.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!